New Government for Lebanon
No links yet, but it appears that Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karami has announced his governments resignation. He apparently did so before parliament while protestors demanding a new government not beholdened to Syria called for change from outside the building.
A most promising development.
Publius Pundit and Caveman in Beirut report it first.
UPDATE 10:15 MST: - FoxNews now has the story posted.
"I am keen that the government will not be a hurdle in front of those who want the good for this country. I declare the resignation of the government that I had the honor to head. May God preserve Lebanon," Karami said.I'm with them. Cheering that is. Still much to do, but a great bit of progress it is.The announcement prompted cheers from more than 25,000 flag-waving demonstrators protesting against the government and its Syrian backers outside the parliament building.
Via Publius Pundit links from Reuters and the Boston Herald add to the story.
This from Reuters.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Syrian-backed Prime Minister Omar Karami, under popular pressure after the assassination of an ex-prime minister, says his government is resigning.And more from the Boston Herald."Out of concern that the government does not become an obstacle to the good of the country, I announce the resignation of the government I had the honour to lead," Karami told parliament in Beirut on Monday.
Karami made the announcement during a parliamentary debate called to discuss Hariri's Feb. 14 assassination in a bomb blast that killed 16 others. The announcement prompted cheers from more than 25,000 flag-waving demonstrators protesting against the government and its Syrian backers outside.More as it arrives. Congratulations to all those in Lebanon who are working toward freedom.The resignation was the most dramatic moment yet in the series of protests and political maneuvers that have shaken Lebanon since Hariri's killing.
Many in Lebanon blame Syria for being behind Hariri's slaying and have pressed hard since then for the resignation of the pro-Syrian Lebanese government and for Syria to withdraw its 15,000 troops positioned in Lebanon.
Both governments have denied involvement in Hariri's assassination.
Earlier Monday, Karami asked the legislature to renew its confidence in his Cabinet, which took power in October after Hariri's resignation in a dispute with Syria, the main power broker in Lebanon.
UPDATE 10:45 MST: The story is out. BBC and others now posting coverage.
UPDATE 11:25 MST: LEbanon's The Daily Star has the story up now.
